Obituaries 07/27/23
Stanley Berglund, 91
Stanley Walter Berglund, 91, of St. Michael, passed away in Perham, MN, on Sunday, July 16, 2023, surrounded by his family. Stanley was born on November 7, 1931, to Walter and Elsa (Engel) Berglund at their farm in Rockford Township, MN, and was the fourth of eight children.
In 1957, Stanley met Myrna (Peikert) and, in 1959, the two were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN, with a reception to follow at the family farm. Stanley and Myrna went on to have two children, Holly Paulson (Ardell), of Ottertail, MN, and Guy Berglund (Carol), of Elk River, MN.
Stanley retired in 1993 after hauling milk, first milk cans and then bulk milk, for his brother, Harvey, for over 40 years. Once retired, he continued to keep himself busy painting houses for friends and family, and he spent all his free time fishing as much as possible. Over the years, he spent plenty of time passing his love for fishing onto his grandchildren, Stephanie Mattson (John), of Breckenridge, MN, and Aaron Paulson, of Ottertail, MN. Little did he know, this love of fishing would go into yet another generation, with his great-grandchildren, Cara Mattson (six) and Callen Mattson (four) joining in on the fishing fun.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Elsa Berglund; his siblings, Lydia, Lillian, Janet, and Harvey.
He is survived by his wife Myrna; his daughter, Holly (Ardell); his son, Guy (Carol); his two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; his siblings, Carol, Mary, and Glen; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Stanley Berglund were held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at The Buffalo Methodist Church with lunch that immediately followed.
Interment Zion Methodist Cemetery in Hanover, MN
A Visitation was held on Saturday, July 22, AT THE CHURCH that started at 9:30 a.m. until the service began.
Casket Bearers were Guy Berglund, George Conzet, Dale Heins, Aaron Paulson, Stephanie Mattson, and Ron Klattke.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Gerald Friedrichs, 74
Gerald (Jerry/Fred) Joseph Friedrichs, 74, of Buffalo passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Jerry was born on December 17, 1948, to Gerard and Violet (Wallin) in Melrose, MN, and spent his childhood working and playing on the family farm in Sauk Centre. After high school, Jerry joined the U.S. Army National Guard, where he served from 1966–1972 and became a lifetime member of the Little Sauk Legion Post 417.
On a warm summer evening out with friends in 1970, Jerry met the love of his life, Shirley Braeger. He asked her for a dance, and the rest is history! Jerry and Shirley were married on August 18, 1973, making their home in St. Louis Park until their move out to Buffalo in December 1975. At their home in the country, Jerry and Shirley raised their four children and made many wonderful memories together. Jerry enjoyed playing on various teams in the Rockford men’s softball league, tending to the family’s large garden (including growing the largest tomatoes in Wright County!), listening to classic country music on the deck, deer hunting with his sons, helping his buddies with construction projects, and taking his kids out on the coldest winter days to ice fish.
As a 50-year member of the Laborers Local 563 Union, Jerry worked 33 hard years digging city manholes, running the jackhammer and backhoe, laying utility lines, leading many work crews, and getting dirty in general.
Upon his retirement, Jerry found the time to enjoy various hobbies he hadn’t always had the time for, including completing dozens of carpentry projects, fishing, watching NASCAR races and other sports, driving around to “supervise” local construction projects, and growing even more tomatoes. He also enjoyed working on side cement and masonry projects with his best friend, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and birthday parties, and many other activities.
Jerry was a strong, humble man with a big heart, and will always be remembered for his one-liners, humor, mischievous smirk and eye twinkle, hard work ethic, and great love and pride for his family.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Gerard (Bud) and Violet; his brother, Earl; mother- and father-in-law, Bernardine and Kenneth Braeger; and many other relatives.
He will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 50 years, Shirley; children, Aaron (Debbie), Jason (Beth), Kacey (Chauncey) Neutgens, and Sarah (Bryan) Trinka; 10 grandchildren, Deserae (Jaden), Zachary, Austin, Jimmy, George, Hannah, Ella, Clara, Tristan, and Morgan; two great-grandchildren, Carter and Tommy; and many more family members and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the mass, all at the Church of St. Francis Xavier School, 219 19th Street NW, Buffalo, MN. Celebrant will be Father Nathaniel Meyers.
Interment in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Buffalo, MN. Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Phyllis Griffith, 91
Phyllis Mae Griffith, age 91, passed away on July 15, 2023.
She was born on March 11, 1932, to John and Iris Robideaux in Grey Eagle, MN, on her Grandpa Robideaux farm. Soon after, in 1934, the family moved to Villard, MN. In the fall of 1938, they moved to the family farm.
Phyllis attended school in Villard, MN, and graduated high school in 1950.
On June 14, 1952, Phyllis M. Robideaux married Robert Griffith at the Methodist Church in Villard, MN. He was enlisted in the Navy at that time and was stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, for two-and-a-half years. Daughter Iris was born on March 16, 1953. After Bob’s discharge, they moved back to St. Paul, MN. Daughter Linda was born on July 13, 1956, and son Gary was born April 15, 1958. After her husband graduated from the U of MN in 1959, the family moved to Iowa for seven years where daughter Carol was born on June 27, 1961. In the summer of 1964, they moved to Faribault, MN, where twin sons Frank and John were born on January 31, 1965.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Iris Reed, of Plano, TX; her grandchildren, Rebecca (Gary) Osborne; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Garrett, and Cooper (Daniel’s son); daughter, Linda (Brad) Gavanda, of Forest Lake, MN; her grandchildren, Michael, Robert (Polley), and John (Vanessa); great-grandchildren, Christina, Nicholas, and Zachary; son, Frank (Heather Tesch), of Kennesaw, GA; her grandchildren, Sedona and Sam; son, John (Amy), of Maple Grove, MN; her grandchildren, Patrick and Jack; brothers, Dewayne (Dot) Robideaux and Ronald (Anita) Robideaux; a sister, Audrey (Roger) Helberg; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert F. Griffith; her parents; a daughter, Carol Mae; a son, Gary Robert; a grandson, Daniel Keels; and brothers, John and Donald Robideaux.
Phyllis was a retired head cook, working in the Buffalo school system. She was a faithful member of the Buffalo United Methodist Church and enjoyed playing in the Thursday Game Group. She also volunteered for many church luncheons. Phyllis enjoyed gardening, quilting, baking, and cooking for her family. Other enjoyments were playing cards with her Wednesday Card Club, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
A Memorial Service for Phyllis Griffith was held on Wednesday, July 26, at 11:00 A.M. at The Buffalo United Methodist Church. Visitation was held one hour prior to the Memorial Service at the church. A luncheon followed the Memorial Service.
Private family interment was held at Lakeview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, MN.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Helen Peterson, 82
Helen Mae (Anderson) Peterson, loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and proud Norwegian, passed away on July 21, 2023, at age 82.
There will be a memorial service on at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 513 Madison St SE, Watertown, MN, with visitation at the church starting at 9:30 a.m., and a lunch gathering after the service. A private burial will take place at Knapp Cemetery in Cokato at a later time.
Arrangements are being handled by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Helen was born May 14, 1941, in Thompson, IA, and graduated high school in Bricelyn, MN. She attended Luther College in Decorah, IA, where she obtained a degree in education. Helen wed Curt Peterson in 1963, and they were married for over 51 years.
After college, Helen worked as a 2nd grade teacher, and then stayed home after the arrival of their son, Anthony and daughter, Sarah. In 1976, Curt and Helen moved from Minneapolis to a farm in Delano, MN, where they learned how to raise livestock and crops. Helen even learned how to do minor animal surgery and loved to tell the story of being taught a particular procedure for male baby pigs by their neighbor, who was also the local Avon Lady.
For reasons neither Helen nor Curt could quite explain, an interest in planting a few apple trees in the late 80s evolved into the Fall Harvest Orchard business in the early 90s. What started as a roadside produce stand turned into a thriving seasonal business that they operated until Curt’s death in 2014, and still exists today under the ownership of a wonderful local family.
Helen cherished the role of Grandma and spent hours cuddling and playing with her grandsons, giving them so many memories of her gloriously uncomplicated love. She is remembered for her smile and her kind and generous spirit. If she ever heard that you needed something, she was there to help.
She is survived by son, Anthony Peterson; daughter, Sarah (Brett) Peterson Blomquist; grandsons, Josh and Ben; sister, Sharon (Jim) Oulman; brothers, Rod Anderson and Doug Anderson (Frederick Allen); sisters-in-law, Sue Wallerick and Pat Peterson; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She is also survived by Gracie, her impulse purchase shih-tzu (“I’ll never have another inside dog” was instantly forgotten when she saw the little furball that an orchard customer had for sale), who provided so much love and comfort to both Helen and Curt when they needed it most.
Loyal Staskivige, 75
Loyal John Staskivige, a devoted husband, friend, and Veteran, passed away on July 16, 2023, at the age of 75. Born in Grafton, North Dakota on December 21, 1947, Loyal was the son of the late John and DeVonna (Tverberg) Staskivige.
Loyal was a man of unwavering loyalty and dedication, as his name suggested. He served his country with honor, enlisting in the United States Navy in 1966 and proudly serving until 1970. During his service, he demonstrated exceptional bravery and commitment, earning the respect and admiration of his fellow servicemen.
After his military service, Loyal met the love of his life, Nola Mattson, and they were united in marriage in 1982. Together, they shared a beautiful journey filled with love, companionship, and mutual respect. They also owned and operated the Red Vest bar in Rockford, MN, a local institution that quickly became a treasured gathering place for friends, neighbors, and visitors alike. For over four decades, Loyal’s warm smile, friendly demeanor, and welcoming spirit made the Red Vest bar more than just a place to enjoy a drink; it became a hub of community camaraderie and cherished memories. His ability to make everyone feel at home, whether they were regular patrons or first-time visitors, earned him a special place in the hearts of all who walked through the bar’s doors.
Loyal’s warm and compassionate nature extended beyond his human connections; he had a deep affection for animals, especially his beloved cat, Vinny; his parrot, Spencer; and canine companion, Carma. They were not just pets but cherished members of the family, providing Loyal with comfort and unconditional love.
In his leisure time, Loyal found joy in the outdoors, particularly on the golf course. Golfing was more than just a hobby for him; it was a way to unwind, connect with friends, and enjoy the beauty of nature around him.
Loyal will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Nola; brother, Wally Staskivige; sister, Melody Staskivige; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and DeVonna; and brothers, Kevin and Clayton.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. with visitation beginning at 1:00 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel – 119 Central Avenue, Buffalo, MN. Military honors will conclude the service.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
